Machine for inserting leases in warps



March 18, 1969 A. BAUMGARTNER 3,432,397

' MACHINE FOR INSERTING LEASES IN WARPS Filed Dec. 5, 1967 Sheet ors IAIVENTOR AU (5 usT BHUMGHRT/VER Y Md M W March 18, 1969 A. BAUMGARTNER 3,432,397

MACHINE FOR INSERTING LEASES IN WARPS Filed Dec. 5, 1967 Sheet 2 1N VE N TOR AUGUST BHUMGHRTNER March 18, 1969 A. BAUMGARTNER 3,432,397

MACHINE FOR INSERTING LEASES IN WARPS Filed D86. 5, 1967 Sheet 3 015 IN VE/VTOR Hue U57" 5H u/vmfm United States Patent Claims priority, application Switzerland, Jan. 29, 1965,

US. Cl. 28-40 Int. Cl. D02h 9/00; D03j 1/14 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for inserting leases in two-layer warps is disclosed as including means for stretching the warps and mounting at least one lease to extend transversely of the warps. The machine includes separators to separate the border threads of each layer, control mechanism connected to the separators to actuate the same, and gripping means for gripping each separated border thread and inserting it into a lease mounted on the frame.

The frame supports the separating means and at least two clamping rails extending transversely of the threads, at least one of which holds the thread releasably so that the threads can be disengaged therefrom responsive to a predetermined thread tension. Each separator is a rotatable hollow body having a bore through which a separating means for the associated layer of threads extends, and having a relatively elongated conically tapering leading end portion.

Cross-reference to related application This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 515,402, filed Dec. 21, 1965, for Machine for Inserting Leases in Warps, now abandoned.

Background of the invention There are already known machines by means of which leases can be inserted into warps. Machines of this kind comprise inter alia separating or dividing needles which enable the bordering warp thread to be separated from the layer of warp threads. In cases where the warps consist of very closely packed threads, these separating needles are unfortunately unable to separate the threads from the layer of warp threads in exactly the same sequence in which they were wound onto the warp beam. In cases where the warps are made up of identical types of warp thread, this is of no significance, because the small crosses which are formed by the threads have no effect whatever on weaving.

However, in cases where the warps are made up of different types of thread, for example threads of different colors, the machines referred to above cannot be used for the automatic insertion of leases. In this case, the threads have to be offered to the separating needles in a definite sequence. Economically, this would be possible only in cases where the warp can be divided up into comparatively few groups of identical threads with as many threads as possible in each group. With these requirements satisfied, the machine is able to operate automatically within one such group. When the number of identical threads per group becomes too small, the time required to divide up the warp into such groups of identical threads is almost as long as the time required for the manual insertion of a 1:1 lease.

As already known, the groups of threads of some seetional beams are brought together before they pass through the sizing machine, with the result that they can be sized together. In cases where the threads of each sectional beam are identical with one another, for example when the threads have been dyed on the warp beam, it is readily possible to insert separating means, for example cords, between the groups of identical threads. In many cases, cords of this type are inserted, even in cases where the warp is subsequently drawn by hand into the harness, because they facilitate manual separation of the threads.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to weaving and, more particularly, to a novel and improved machine for inserting leases in warps.

In accordance with the present invention, a machine is provided for inserting leases in warps having threads separated into at least two layers of identical threads by separating means extending transversely of the threads. The machine comprises a frame for stretching the warp, separators for separating the border thread of each layer of identical threads, a control mechanism for actuating the separators in a predetermined sequence, and members for gripping the separated border thread and inserting it into at least one lease.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved machine for inserting leases in warps.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for inserting leases into warps and by means of which accuracy of such insertion is facilitated even when the constituent threads of the warps differ from each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine for inserting leases in warps having threads separated into at least two layers of identical threads by separating means extending transversely of the threads.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine for inserting leases in warps, as just mentioned, and which comprises a frame for stretching the warp, and separators for separating the border threads of each layer of identical threads.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type mentioned in the preceding paragraph including a control mechanism for actuating the separators in a predetermined sequence, and members for gripping the separated border thread and inserting it into at least one lease.

Brief description of the drawings For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the machine as a whole, in which the members for dividing or separating the border threads and for gripping them and inserting them into a lease have been shown only to illustrate the positions which they occupy in the frame;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mechanism for separating the threads, gripping them and inserting them into the lease; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a member for separating the identical threads in a layer of threads.

Description of the preferred embodiments In FIG. 1, the references-1 and 2 denote the side panels of a frame which can carry a warp beam 3. The side panels also carry a support for a clamping rail 4. A second clamping rail 5, which extends substantially parallel to the first clamping rail 4, is swingably mounted on the side panels 1 and 2 by means of arms 6 and 7. Rail 5 can be locked in either one of two positions, although the means by which it is locked in these two positions have not been shown. In the position shown in dotted lines, the threads are inserted as the wrap is being stretched on the frame, While the position 5, shown in solid lines, is occupied during the actual working operation. Also formed in the side panels are guides 8 for the attachment shown in FIG. 2. Further, the side panels 1 and 2 carry holders for separating means 9, preferably circular bars, and means for anchoring lease cords 11 and 12.

Clamp 5 consists of two halves which are covered, for example, with plush, and hold the threads only loosely in such a way that they can be pulled out of the clamp under a specific thread tension. When the clamping rail 5 is in the position 5' shown in dotted lines, it is in a common plane with the separating means 9 and the clamping rail 4. The clamping means 4 and 5 with the arms 6 and 7 comprise a frame for the warp.

The clamping rail 4 is so mounted in the side panels as to be displaceable longitudinally, and is biased to the right by a tension spring 13 until a stud 14 strikes the side panel 1. The right-hand end of the clamping rail 4 is formed with teeth 15 into which two pawls 16 and 17 can engage. The pawl 16 is fixedly positioned on the side panel 2, while the pawl 17 is mounted eccentrically on the output shaft flange of a motor 18. Rotation of the output shaft of the motor 18 produces a reciprocal movement of the pawl 17 which, in conjunction with the pawl 16, displaces the clamping rail 4 step-by-step towards the left against the bias of spring 13.

An electromagnet 19 fixed on side panel 2 carries a plate 20 which is biased upwardly by a spring 21. The top edge of plate. 20 engages beneath the tips of pawls 16 and 17. As long as electromagnet 19 is receiving current, plate 20 is pulled downwards against the bias of spring 21 in such a way that the two pawls 16 and 17 are able to engage teeth 15 of clamping rail 4. With electromagnet 19 de-energized, however, spring 21 forces pawls 16 and 17 upwards, by way of plate 20, to an extent such that they are no longer in engagement with teeth 15. In this position, clamping rail 4 returns, under the bias of tension spring 13, into the aforementioned starting position in which stop 14 is in contact with the side panel 1.

Also shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 is the mechanism 22 for separating the threads and inserting the lease, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. This mechanism is moved forwards, or to the right in FIG. 1, on guides 8 by a known type of feed mechanism. The advance of mechanism 22 is controlled by a switch (not shown) operated by a feeler 23 supported by mechanism 22 and mounted movably thereon. Feeler 23 feels the bordering thread of that part of the warp which has still to be inserted, in the immediate proximity of clamping rail 5. Housing 22 is supported on wheels (not shown) riding on the rails 8, and is advanced by a drive mechanism, not illustrated in the drawings since it is well known to those skilled in the art, comprising a motor, other than motor 24, which operates through gearing on a gear wheel engaged with a rack provided on one of the rails 8 or immediately adjacent thereto.

Peeler 23, which is secured to housing 22 as stated, actuates the mentioned switch so that the latter will be opened if housing or mechanism 22, carrying feeler 23, approaches threads extending between clamp 5 and rollers 27, 28, with feeler 23 feeling these threads. As soon as threads are pulled out from clamping rail 5 and from rollers 27, 28, described more fully hereinafter, the pressure on feeler 23 is released and the switch controlled thereby closes its contacts. As a consequence, the driving mechanism for housing or mechanism 22 will be energized so that housing 22, carrying feeler 23, is moved in the direction of the remaining threads until feeler 23 again engages the border thread or threads to open its controlled switch and stop the advance of mechanism 22 by deactivating the driving mechanism therefor. Such arrangements of self-controlled advancing mechanism are widely used in the art so that, in the present case, a detailed description of the particular mechanism has been omitted as not being inventive matter.

For example, the feeler mechanism can control a clutch connecting the driving mechanism for mechanism 22 to the supporting wheels therefor, or could control a separate motor without the interposition of the clutch. A further possibility, known to those skilled in the art, is to provide a motor outside mechanism 22 and fitted, for example, to one of the panels 1 or 2, for moving mechanism 22 along rails 8 by other suitable means such as, for example, a chain drive, a threaded spindle and nut arrangement, or any other suitable means controlled by feeler 23 mounted on mechanism 22.

A motor 24 on mechanism 22 drives a roller 27, lined with plush or the like, through sets of bevel gears 25 and 26. A second roller 28, also lined with plush is pressed resiliently against roller 27 by suitable means which have not been illustrated. Rollers 27 and 28 are provided for separating the border threads of each layer of threads, and are arranged in such a way that the threads on separating members or separators 29 are held constantly under tension. While motor 24 is provided primarily for driving rollers 27, 28 and other mechanism, as described hereinafter, it could, as a matter of course, also be used as a driving motor for the advance of mechanism 22.

Driving motor 24 rotates a shaft 30 through a worm reduction gear 79. Mounted on shaft 30 is a cam 31 which, through a roller 32, causes a lever 33 to swing or rock. Pivotally mounted on lever 33 is a locking pawl 34 which, together with an anchor pawl 35, rotates a locking wheel 36 in steps by a distance corresponding to the space between two teeth. Locking wheel 36 is mounted on a perforated roller 37 over which is trained a known type of paper card 38. Paper card 38, which is held under tension by a second roller 39, can be provided with punched-out holes 40 which are in line with corresponding holes or perforations in roller 37. Switches 41 and 42 are switched on and off in known manner depending on Whether or not paper card 38 is punched in alignment with a corresponding hole in roller 37.

Also mounted on shaft 30 are two bevel gears 43 which mesh with bevel gears 44. Although only two such bevel gear sets have been shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to provide a larger number with the number of sets being governed by the number of layers of identical threads. Bevel gears 44 are mounted on hollow driving shafts 45 which drive electromagnetically operated clutches 46. Hollow driven shafts 47 of clutches 46 rotate only when electromagnetic clutches 46 are engaged.

Separating members 29, which are shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, are fixedly mounted on hollow shafts 47, and each separating member 29 is associated with the feeler of a respective switch 48 which is operated by the thread carried on the respective separating member. Peeler-controlled switches 48 are switched over before the border thread 49 has reached its most extreme position on separating member 29 shown in FIG. 2. Another feeler-controlled switch 50 is actuated by this thread if it has arrived at the extreme end of separating member 29, that is, at the end of helical groove 71 as shown in FIG. 3.

Also fixedly mounted on shaft 30 is a cam disk 51 adapted to swing or rock a double-armed lever 53 through a roller 52. The leading edge of the front section of two-armed lever 53 is formed with a notch 54 large enough to hold only one of two threads during its descent, while any inadvertently entrained additional threads pass upwards over notch 54.

The shaft of roller 37 carries a cam 55 formed with half as many notches as there are teeth in locking wheel 36. Cam S5 actuates a roller 56 mounted on a lever 57 in such a way that a spindle 58 is moved from an upper into a lower position, or vice-versa, for each step in the rotation of roller 37. Spindle 58 oscillates a doubleended fork 59 which is adapted to displace lease cords 11 and 12, horizontally into two end positions. A studded roller 61 is rotated by shaft through a spur gear 60, and drives a perforated steel belt 62 guided over a roller 63. Perforated steel belt 62 carries a hook 64 which is able to grip a border thread 65 pushed downwards by notch 54, and pull it backwards. At the same time, the border thread is pulled out of clamp 5 and the pair of rollers 27, 28. The path followed by book 64 is such that, depending on the position of the double-ended fork 59, it passes either in front of lease cord 11 and behind lease cord 12, or behind lease cord 11 and in front of lease cord 12. In this way, the separated border thread 65 is inserted into the lease formed by cords 11 and 12. The reference 66 denotes warp threads inserted in one position of the double-ended fork, while the reference 67 denotes warp threads inserted in the other position.

One separating member 29 is provided for each layer of identical threads. One such dividing or separating member is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3. The separating member is mounted on the end of rotating hollow shaft 47 and is itself hollow. In this way, a separating means 9 can be pushed through it. The rotating hollow body consists essentially of two parts. Towards the warp end, it is in the form of a slim, tapering section 68 whose tip 69 is truncated so that, during rotation of the separating member, the warp threads guided around the separating means 9 are safely transferred. As will be explained in the following, the warp threads thereafter pass over the tapered rotating section 68 towards the left onto a cylindrical section 70 formed with guide grooves 71.

Basically, these grooves are proportionately much wider than the actual diameter of the thread. In order to prevent two threads from moving past a given point of the groove at the same time, the groove itself is provided at its inlet end with a terminal section 72 which can be locked in different positions in a groove 73 by means of an adjusting screw. This position is selected in such a way that the gap between the terminal portion and the cylindrical portion is adapted to the diameter of the thread. The groove cylindrical portion may be so designed as to be eccentric relative to the axis of rotation which has the advantage that, during separation, the threads are repeatedly tightened and loosened, as a result of which they lie next to one another and not over one another on entry into the slot 74. If, however, two threads have to be moved forwards past a common point along the groove 71, they end up on the leading edge of lever 53. During its descent, lever 53 takes one of the threads with it, while the other is rejected upwards over notch 54. Because it is not absolutely certain that the rejected thread will be inserted in the next cycle, it has to be brought back a short distance. To this end, the separating member is formed with a retrieving or returning groove 75. The mechanism as described in the foregoing operates as follows:

The warp in which a lease is to be inserted, is provided, on leaving the sizing machine, with cords which run transversely of the threads and which separate layers of identical threads from one another. This warp is placed on the frame and the threads are clamped both in clamping rail 4 and in clamping rail 5 which, at this stage is in the position 5 shown in dotted lines. The mechanism 22 as a whole is now in the starting position at the left-hand end of the frame adjacent side panel 1. The separating cords between each layer of threads are replaced by circular bars 9 guided through the bores in the corresponding separating members 29, Bars 9 rest in recesses formed in the frame for this purpose. Clamping rail 5 is then swung into its lower position.

For each warp, one pair of new cords 11 and 12 has to be clamped in the frame and placed in the corresponding recesses in double-ended fork 59. The control mechanism is equipped with a suitable paper card 38, while the lease-forming attachment 22 is pushed up to the edge of the warp. When driving motor 24 is switched on, the driving members begin to rotate until warp threads of the layer of the threads are at a certain distance from the position in which the bordering thread can be gripped by the leaseforming members. At this stage, contact 48 interrupts the supply of current to the corresponding magnetic clutch 46, so that the associated separator 29 stops rotating. Meanwhile, the control mechanism has displaced paper card 38 into a predetermined position. In some cases, the drive must momentarily be brought to a standstill, and the paper card moved forwards by hand until a suitable row is ready for the next separating operation.

In the next phase of operation, one of the rows of the paper card presents a punched-out hole to the feeler of one of the switches 41 and 42. Closure of the associated switch effects engagement of the associated magnetic clutch 46, with the result that the corresponding separating member 29 begins to rotate again until the bordering thread of the layer in question has reached the position shown in FIG. 2. The descending arm 53 pushes the bordering thread downwards into the position 65 shown in dotted lines, in which it is engaged by hook 64. Due to the movement of the perforated steel belt 62, hook 64 carries the thread backwards and, in doing so, pulls it out of clamp 5 and the pair of rollers 27 and 28. During this operation, the two lease cords 11 and 12 occupy an arbitrary position, for example the position shown in FIG. '2. During the next phase in separation initiated by another hole in paper card 38, lease cords 11 and 12 occupy the reverse position which means that the next thread is inserted into the lease in the reverse position. Should any double threads appear, one of them is rejected by notch 54 in lever 53 and, during the subsequent rotation of the associated separator 29, is brought by the retrieving or returning groove 75 into a position separated by a predetermined distance from the position in which it can be gripped by the lease-forming members. The mechanism then continues to operate automatically and, during each cycle, removes a fresh thread from the layer of threads defined by the paper card.

Threads can be transferred from separators 9 onto the tapering section 68 only when the angle, which they form with the generatrix of separating means 9 towards the separator 29, is less than The threads of each layer are not gripped in equal numbers by the separator, depending on the type of control system used. For this reason, clamping rail 4 possibly may have to be displaced towards side panel 1 until the aforementioned angle is again less than 90 for the layer of threads in question. Since, in these circumstances, feeler contact 50 cannot be actuated by a thread, electromagnet 19 (FIG. 1) remains energized, with the result that clamping rail 4 is displaced in stages. After one thread of the layer in question has been moved forwards into the position in which it can be gripped by the lease-forming members, contact 50 interrupts the supply of current to electromagnet 19. The result of this is that the plate 20 raises the two locking pawls 16 and 17, while the clamping rail 4 returns to its starting position under the bias of spring 13.

During insertion, mechanism 22 has to adjust or adapt itself to the particular border of that section of the warp which has still to be inserted, which is done by sensing or feeling, followed by the forward movement of the attachment of guides 8 by a known type of advance mechanism (not shown). After the lease has been inserted, attachment 22 is returned to its starting position near side panel 1, while the warp is struck down with an adhesive tape, preferably below the lease cords. After clamping rail 4 has been loosened, the warp, together with the lease inserted into it, can be removed from the frame.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for inserting leases in warps having threads separated into at least two layers, and including respective thread layer separating means extending transversely of the threads, said machine comprising, in combination, a frame; warp stretching means supported on said frame; means on said frame mounting at least one lease to extend transversely of the warps; respective separators operable to separate the border threads of each layer of identical threads; control mechanism connected to said separators and actuating the same in a predetermined sequence; and gripping means cyclically operable to grip each separated border thread and insert it into at least one lease mounted on said frame.

2. A machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame comprises supports for said separating means; said warp stretching means comprising at least two clamping rails extending transversely of the threads, at least one of which rails holds the threads releasably in a manner such that threads can be disengaged therefrom responsive to a predetermined thread tension; one of said rails being mounted for swinging movement into a common plane including the other rail and the separating means, for stretcl1 ing of the warp, and being swung to a position out of said common plane during the insertion procedure to guide the respective border threads over the associated separating means.

3. A machine, as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said separators comprises a rotatably mounted hollow body having a bore through which the separating means for the associated layer of threads extends.

4. A machine, as claimed in claim 3, in which each of said rotatable hollow bodies has a relatively elongated conically tapering leading end portion tapering toward the associated layer of threads and receiving the threads to be separated; each hollow body further including a sub stantially cylindrical cross section portion extending from the larger end of said tapering portion and formed with helical guide grooves.

5. A machine, as claimed in claim 4, in which the cylindrical cross section portion of each hollow body is eccentric relative to the axis of rotation of the hollow body.

6. A machine, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the smaller cross section end of said tapering portion is truncated relative to the axis of rotation of the hollow body.

7. A machine, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said helical guide grooves have ends facing toward said tapering portion and constituting variable width thread inlets to the helical guide grooves.

8. A machine, as claimed in claim 4, said gripping means including control means engageable with the border threads and operable, responsive to engagement with more than one border thread at the same time, to select only one border thread and to reject the other border threads; the helical guide grooves in the cylindrical portion of each hollow body being formed with a thread, returning portion at the ends thereof remote from said gripping means.

9. A machine, as claimed in claim 3, including respective feeler means each associated with a respective layer of threads; said control mechanism including respective rotating means for rotating said hollow bodies and each feeler means being included in said control mechanism and being eifective to interrupt operation of its associated rotating means when one thread of the associated layer is at a predetermined distance, on the associated hollow body, from a position wherein it can be gripped by said gripping means, said control mechanism providing for the respective hollow body to continue rotating until the respective border thread is within the range of operation of said gripping means.

10. A machine, as claimed in claim 2, including means mounting one of said clamping rails for displacement longitudinally of itself; said mounting means including mechanism operable to advance said one clamping rail in one direction; said rail advancing mechanism including a feeler means engageable with a border thread and controlling operation of the rail advancing mechanism to advance said one clamping rail longitudinally from a starting position at one side of the warp threads toward the other side of the warp threads until such time as said feeler means engage a border thread; said feeler means, responsive to engagement with a border thread conditioning said rail adcanving mechanism to return said one clamping rail to its starting position.

11. A machine, as claimed in claim 2, comprising a lease forming mechanism including said separators, said control mechanism and said gripping means; said frame including guide rails extending transversely of the warp threads; said lease-forming mechanism being displaceably mounted on said guide rails for movement transversely of the warp threads; means operable to advance said leaseforming mechanism along said guide rails toward the near edge of the warp threads; and a thread feeler included in said lease-forming mechanism immediately adjacent said one clamping rail to sense the near edge of the warp threads.

12. A machine, as claimed in claim 3, including tensioning means engageable with the warp threads and effective to maintain a tension on the threads extending over said rotating hollow bodies.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,147,395 7/1915 Hathaway 28-43 1,147,412 7/1915 Lanning et al 2840X 1,147,413 7/1915 Lea 2843 1,289,749 12/1918 Hathaway et a1 2840 1,487,740 3/ 1924 Hathaway 2840 1,533,799 4/1925 Hathaway 2840 1,716,546 6/1929 Hammer 2843 JAMES KEE CHI, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 2843 

